She who laughs, lasts.

It's all about delivery

2007-10-03T13:34:00.000-05:00

"You greedy Americans. You think you're so entitled. You ruin everything."

"A lot of us feel really badly about that."

-Under the Tuscan Sun

All I know..........

2007-05-25T13:09:00.000-05:00

is that if you are physically, emotionally, or mentally exhausted.

or really in need of a good laugh.

do yourself a favor, watch the daily show.

i miss america.

They brought me skippy peanut butter.

2007-05-16T13:06:00.000-05:00

The parents left last night.

I played tour guide for almost two weeks. They saw amazing things they never thought they would. It was great. We crammed so much in! From Alex to Aswan. Med to Red Sea. Train, car, camel, bus, microbus, felucca, ship. Ancient tombs, pyramids. Fateer, seafood, Egyptian sandwiches, Fuul Falafel and beyond. Family, friends.

With our Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor I completed the Egypt section in 1,000 Places to See Before You Die.

This is quite an accomplishment, as I haven't even done the one thing from my home state!

I became active in people watching during this time. I took a sunrise hot air balloon ride over the Valley of the Kings. I swam. Read 3 books. Took pictures. Spoke in German. Utilized my Arabic. Had an omelet every morning. Moonlit discussions on the top deck of our boat.

Sad to see them go last night. We headed to Khan El Khalili for the honorable visit that any tourist must make. But we were sideswiped with thousands of people out at 11 pm! The streets were filled with cars and people. Religious Celebration. It was insane, uncomfortable, no chance to breathe! We opted out and my quick thinking* led us to the Khan El Khalili "Bazaar" on Sharea Tahrir. We stopped there and were the only customers picking out souvenirs, found just what they wanted. I think they were relieved! After that we went for juice. The watermelon juice was above and beyond anything I could have dreamed of. I'm going back for more.

Thanks for the wonderful visit.

*I am useful some of the time!

Mama wa Baba

2007-04-30T11:01:00.000-05:00

A proud moment in any young lady's life is the day her parents join the blogging world.

In a couple of days my parents will arrive in Egypt to a place I fell in love with 3 years ago. Later I fell in love with one of their own. Although I must admit I've now seen the rain in Egypt, I can't help but feel so excited to see them and to spend time with them. They are embarking on an opportunity of a lifetime. They are doing what people say they will do when they are emptynesters: Travel!

I'm excited for me, for them, for everyone!

All I did was whisper "blogger" over skype a few weeks ago and they have since created this. If you are interested in seeing Egypt from a different point of view, check out their blog HERE.

On feeling ugly

2007-04-10T06:51:00.000-05:00

Have you ever displayed a new part of your character that you see as totally disgusting?

Have you ever thought, "Wow! I didn't know I could do/think/say that?"

Have you ever struggled with the relationship between fitting in to a culture and losing what you valued in yourself?

The daily equation

2007-03-13T07:26:00.000-05:00

I am in week one of my new job teaching conversational and business English to adults. I chose it based on the need to be doing something constructive and there are a few perks:

-a driver who is polite and the car is air-conditioned
-being late can never be my fault
-working in the office and off-site for variety to spice up the work day
-teaching people who genuinely want to learn more, and they know that English will help them further along in life and career. Sappy, but true.

I think it's going to be interesting........

This morning I went Downtown to the National Bank of Egypt to give lessons to a few employees.

The first class was a group of 4, professionals all in their late 40's/early 50's. A woman and 3 men who had all worked at NBE for over 20 years.

And they were a riot.

They laughed and giggled and teased each other. Trying to be serious, but giving in to the peer pressure of the others. I could not help but laugh as well! I loved the idea of seeing professionals, parents, adults, filling in workbooks all in a row, then laughing so hard they had to wipe tears from their eyes.

I may be doing some editing in the curriculum.

"President Mubarak is a man of peace."

Ah, no. Gandhi is a man of peace.........

Then they asked how I felt about the President. Theirs, not mine. I was relieved. Defending incompetence gets old.

My second class is a man on the board of directors, in a large office high up in the building. He was friendly, lived an interesting life, talked about his family and working his way up the financial ladder. We casually discussed US/ME relations and perceptions, which I hope will increase in the future. He's a polite, quiet* man, although eager to learn and speak English. I look forward to teaching him, as I saw a 'no smoking, please' sign** on his desk. Ahhh, kismet.

I think I said it almost 3 years ago when I first ventured to this land, but seriously,

Egypt = Surprises

*rare in Egypt
**EXTREMELY rare in Egypt

Call to Cinema

2007-03-06T09:02:00.000-06:00

Living in the Middle of Cairo, getting used to the Call to Prayer happens without one noticing.

It is like the sun, ever present and slightly changing at different times of the day.

But today when it came from INSIDE my apartment, I did a double-take like no other.

Mosque Wedding

2007-03-04T04:20:00.001-06:00

Police Mosque
Originally uploaded by miss.kait.

One of the great many benefits to marrying an interesting exotic person is the interesting exotic experiences that one can experience with that. On Friday Shady and I went to his friend, Wessam's, with wedding in Cairo. It was the Katb Ketab at the Police Mosque.

It was a gorgeous day to be married and we met his family and her family outside milling around the mosque before we were ushered to a beautiful wood carved room below.

We were directed to sit in the front row to watch the ceremony, another example of Egypitan hospitality. This was a nice gesture, as we were the only friends there, the rest of the group was all family.

I watched and cheered with excitement as the couple marched in together, the crowd applauded like crazy and the women let loose their celebration call.

Then they took a million photos as wedding jewelry was presented to her. While this was taking place I was watching the Sheikh come in and set up with interest. He was a friendly looking man, having a very professional looking briefcase, and set it on a table in front of the congregation. He opened it up and I leaned forward to steal a glance, and much to my liking and humor I saw among documents a juice box. A cute little strawberry flavored juice box. I could not help but giggle.

I firmly believe that God has a sense of humor.

We were soon all presented with juice boxes, and I happily drank from a Mango one. Then the couple, and their fathers and the Sheikh sat at the table in front of us and performed the ceremony.

Celebration

2007-03-04T04:19:00.001-06:00

New beginnings
Originally uploaded by miss.kait.

In the celebration of it all I received, gave, and witnessed more kisses than I thought possible in a hours time.

The couple has to be much more modest with kisses though....

The ever-present video cameraman involved in Egyptian Weddings followed their every move until they exited the mosque.

Afterwords we took the Happy Couple out to dinner on the Nile and chatted. It was great to see Shady and Wessam reminiscing and telling stories of their glory days and adventures from grad school in the UK.

A good friday

2007-03-04T03:48:00.001-06:00

Odem
Originally uploaded by miss.kait.

I can't quite think of anything better than a man in a suit on a beautiful day.

Six months of Silence...............Ends Today!

2007-03-01T08:28:00.000-06:00

And man do I have a lot to say!

Expect philosophical pondering..........

Quotes to bring out the smile in the most jaded of souls..........

An Inside look to the future production of Arab Law & Order.............

Rants and Raves about the peculiar folks in my new neighborhood.........

New Plans........

New Adventures............

And PHOTOS of course!

Bad Day? Beautiful Day? Blah Day?

2006-10-03T15:56:00.000-05:00

Finish each day and be done with it...
You have done what you could;
Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in
Forget them as soon as you can
Tomorrow is a new day;
You shall begin it well and serenely.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

My Hope

2006-09-11T22:31:00.000-05:00

To have people propelled in a positive direction.

Listen. Understand.

Try Warm Fuzzies.

Those kind of things stick with you.

Wahashtiny

2006-09-11T22:20:00.000-05:00

Not afraid to say that I've cried while brushing my teeth at 5 am in Cairo. It's tricky. And almost humorous and sad.

It took quick thinking to order champagne with breakfast on the plane to enjoy a delicious homemade mimosa as I departed. Then soon slept.

Does that count as cooking?

Cairo Tower!

2006-09-05T05:02:00.000-05:00

Cairo Tower!
Originally uploaded by miss.kait.

I had wanted to see Cairo from atop the Cairo Tower, located on the Island on Zamalek, in the middle of the Nile, in the middle of the City!

Cairo almost felt like a calm happy little city from above......almost.

The guy taking this photo led us to a level above the normal lookout(for some extra money of course). He made us nervous wrecks as he climbed halfway over the railing to take this photo. I swore in arabic and Shady had horrors of his camera tumbling below. Flirting with danger is a nice way of putting it....

We ate dinner in the rotating restaurant in the tower watching the sunset and getting a 360 view.

I must admit, it's amazing to see the pyramids in the distance, felucca's on the Nile, and the Sun and Moon!

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?!

2006-09-03T02:24:00.000-05:00

Me. And I didn't even know it!

The last few days have been surprises for the people that I have seen. Hanging out with Louly & Nisrin (still trying to get down the arab pronounciation) has been a gateway to the other wonderful crazy people currently in Egypt.

It's awesome when a door opens and you never know who to expect, literally.

People I knew from being in Egypt 2 years ago:

Shazly
Mr. Gara
Kenny

People from my @ past that I would never have guessed that I would be running into here:

Nay-Nay
Dody (thanks for the food)
Pam (who is celebrating her arab-versary, a very special time in a woman's life)

Nomadlifers that I could put a face to:

Marta
Alia
Megan

People that I have heard a lot about for 2 years & wanted to meet!
Purvi

It was great to meet & see you all, but especially Bunny. Your determination and spirit will carry me through my Egypt experiences. One step at a time.

*The contest for best balcony in Egypt does not belong to Poo. Sorry, Dody's was fabulous.

No fear, Kaptain Kait is here!

2006-08-31T10:43:00.000-05:00

No fear, Kaptain Kait is here!
Originally uploaded by miss.kait.

Sharm El-Sheikh was an absolute wonderful vacation. Egypt has endeared me yet again.

We stayed in Naama Bay and spent most of the time swimming, enjoying our hotel's buffet (i finally got an appetite, woohoo!), walking around at night, and doing fun things during the day, like A glass bottom boat to see fun creatures beneath the water, A day of snorkeling out by Tiran Island, Roaming around on ATV's, And swimming, lots of swimming!!!

Oh Egypt!

2006-08-31T10:39:00.000-05:00

Oh Egypt!
Originally uploaded by miss.kait.

This matches the photo of Shady w/ the US flag on a boat.

The only difference is that my photo is on the exotic tropical Red Sea in glorious sunshine wearing a bathing suit.

His is on the cloudy San Francisco Bay, he's wearing a sweater. I'm probably trying to tell him to enjoy the fresh air while he's shivering : )

Woohoo!

2006-08-31T10:36:00.000-05:00

Woohoo!
Originally uploaded by miss.kait.

Fun on ATV's cruising around the desert. We were with a group of Tunisian newlyweds. Highlight was seeing a camel gently cruising through the desert as we flew by! It felt great to drive around, although I must admit I was excited to get back to the water : )

Aquagirl!

2006-08-31T10:31:00.000-05:00

Aquagirl!
Originally uploaded by miss.kait.

I am the next aquagirl!

This picture proves that you can have fun while looking ridiculous.

Snorkeling was great. We went to Tiran Island. Made me want to Dive again! Next time : )

The prep on the boat seemed a little more intensive than our dives 2 years ago. Pictures of fish and creatures to avoid. I can't believe how close I was to a lionfish without realizing how dangerous they were when I was in Dahab! Ignorance is bliss. When they warned to take off jewelry because of baracudas, Shady and I whipped off our wedding rings so fast......

We saw lots of water creatures. The fish are beautiful. Lots of little purple jellyfish that the guides would scoop up.

The Beautiful Boy and Sea!

2006-08-31T09:10:00.000-05:00

The Beautiful Boy and Sea!
Originally uploaded by miss.kait.

First Weekend in Egypt! We headed straight to the Mediterranean for some fun!

Dinner on the Med

2006-08-31T09:09:00.000-05:00

Dinner on the Med
Originally uploaded by miss.kait.

It's a beautiful place. Love the North Coast, no doubt.

Dinner Cruise!

2006-08-31T09:06:00.000-05:00

Me and My "old" Egyptian Man
Originally uploaded by miss.kait.

Feasting on the Nile, amid the chaos of hungry Egyptians and European Teenage tourists.

We survived!

Here she is in action

2006-08-31T09:05:00.000-05:00

Here she is in action
Originally uploaded by miss.kait.

My first real Egyptian Belly Dancing Experience.

...and this is why we need Salaam

2006-08-31T05:41:00.000-05:00

Airline passenger told to conceal Arabic T-shirt

When is an action perceived to be a legitimate "threat"?

When has paranoia set in just a little too deep?

Fear of the unknown. People, let's try educating ourselves. Some of us really don't have a good excuse for actions based on ignorance.....